Family tribute to "kind and caring" Bob Jones

The family of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones who died suddenly last week have paid tribute to him, saying he was was a 'kind, modest and unassuming' man.

The 59-year-old who died in his sleep last Monday was described by his wife Sarah as a 'good listener who wanted to make the public to feel safe with the police.

She added: "He made me laugh, he had a lovely smile and was always very kind. He was a good listener, who would hear me out and then gently point of the error of my ways.

"He was entirely modest and unassuming and would go to the ends of the earth to sort out people's problems.

"He would drop everything if somebody needed help and recently gave a lift to a friend who needed to get to the hospital quickly."

She said he always wanted people to feel safe with the police.

"He wanted people to know that if they had a problem, they could go to the police and it would be sorted out," she said.

"He also put a high priority on the welfare of police officers and did not want them to get scapegoated for issues beyond their control."

Sarah's daughter Frances Harrison said he was a doting grandfather to her daughter Emma.

She said: "He married my Mum when I was 17 and Bob completely became my Dad. He adored his granddaughter Emma.

"From the age of two, he would take her off somewhere every Sunday - to feed the ducks in the park or somewhere local. It was their special time together and nobody else was allowed to join in."

She added Emma had her 'Grandbob' wrapped around her little finger, and as she got older, the two would go on days out together, often on Heritage railways, something Mr Jones was passionate about.

Frances said he was tremendously proud when Emma was accepted for an apprenticeship at Severn Valley Railway.

Emma, who is now 17 said: "He was just the most amazing and wonderful Grandbob. He would always go above and beyond to try and help me.

"He recently paid for me to have a set of driving lessons and I am so glad he knew about the apprenticeship. He was really delighted for me."

The former Wolverhampton Labour councillor rwas elected to the post of police and crime commissioner in November 2012. He was the first West Midlands holder of one of the new wave of commissioner posts created by the coalition government.

His sister Rosemary Green said Mr Jones had inherited the perfect combination of calmness from their father, and political zest from their mother.

She said: "His middle name Moelwyn was chosen by our father, after one of the mountains of Snowdonia where Dad grew up. Bob loved that area as much as our Dad and loved to spend summer holidays in Snowdonia where he could enjoy the mountain views."

"All the family were delighted when Bob and Sarah got together, because he was so happy.

"It is down to Sarah that he was able to do all the things he did. He could not have done the role of PCC without Sarah supporting him."

His cousin was Councillor John Reynolds, who recalled holidaying together in Llwyngwril Wales.

He said: "To him, it was a place of perfection and a paradise. His phone would be switched off and he had time for a proper rest. We would go hill walking or on days out. My daughter Alice who is now 24, used to have breakfast with us at our caravan and then go to Sarah and Bob and have a second breakfast with them."

Mr Jones was a member of Talyllyn Railway in Wales, where Emma is still a volunteer. He also took a keen interest in the Kingswood Trust in Wolverhampton, a charity organisation that gives children learning experiences in a natural environment. His family has asked that anyone wishing to make a donation in memory Bob can give to either of these organisations.

Details on how to make donations will be made available at the website www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk in the near future.